PalmCon is a celebration of imagination at the Palm Beach County Convention Center

The annual gathering of “geek culture” aficionados known as PalmCon, saw a broad assortment of enthusiasts come to the Palm Beach Convention Center to show off costumes they’d worked months to create, sell comic books they’d collected over decades, or to share their passion for their chosen hobby.

In a room full of fantasy characters waiting to be judged for the hand-crafted costume face-off, a confident Maleficent with white eyes and perfect makeup, glared at her competition.

She looked better than the rabbit and banana in the same room and might have won “best costume” at PalmCon, West Palm Beach’s own rendition of the nationally held comic convention celebrating “geek culture” since 1970.

But the attention shifted once 13-year-old Sierra Decordova walked in an all-silver, sparkly dress made out of solely plastic water bottles. It was part of a project called “recycle fashion,” the teen designer said, and it took four weeks to complete.

“I love to dress up,” said Decordova, a Davie resident who ended up taking the crown for best costume. “It’s a wonderful way to express yourself in the arts.”

In addition to showing off costumes, this year’s PalmCon hosted a broad assortment of people who came to play board and video games, buy superhero posters and drawings and even sell comics they’ve collected over decades.

John Tischer has been collecting and selling comic books for about 50 years. On his display were thousands of colorful books wrapped in clear, plastic covers and in mint condition. Some date to 1960, he said, and are worth thousands of dollars.

“I learned how to read buying comics,” said Tischer, who travels year-around to conventions. “I just like comics and meeting people that like comics.”

Which is exactly what Comic-Con is all about and why PalmCon founder, Martin Pierro, decided to bring it to West Palm Beach.

I love to dress up. It’s a wonderful way to express yourself in the arts.

The original gathering of geek culture devotees started in San Diego in 1970, garnering an average of 300 people yearly. Today, Comic-Con is a nationwide convention in places like New York, Seattle and Phoenix, and thousands upon thousands of attendees.

Pierre expected around 4,000 people at PalmCon over the two-day event that ends Sunday at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Attendance rates doubled every year since the inaugural 2011 show.

“I grew up with comics. I was a never a great student, and comics were what helped me read when I was a kid,” Pierro said. “It’s a gateway to literacy. I would like to see kids who are maybe struggling today have the same opportunities I did.”

But even people who aren’t comic book fans attended to show off their spot-on “cosplay.” Isaac Benharoche and his team hand-built three 10-foot robot costumes as part of an entertainment venture.

“We wanted something new for birthdays and weddings,” said Benharoche, a Fort Lauderdale resident. “It was just an idea among friends but it kind of spiraled out of control.”

While the giant Spider-Man, Hulk and Captain America robots entered the competition, they didn’t win. The judges evaluated more than 30 costumes and only a few, including banana boy and water bottle dress, won a title.

Brianna Gaffey won the competition last year and became a judge this year. While judging, Gaffey said, she looks for creativity and attention to detail.

“I look at how difficult it was to modify it,” Gaffey said. “It takes a lot effort to find that little piece that’s the right shape and construct it.”

Nicole Mucher, a costume designer who was also judging the competition, donned bright blue hair and a futuristic Tron costume.

“I know what it’s like to work so hard on a costume and people wanting to take pictures with you,” Mucher said. “It’s really gratifying to give back to people who love this stuff as much as we do.”